merlin

A friend and I were discussing the new playoff overtime rules the NFL has implemented, and a question about the strategy of "on-side kicking" to start the OT came up. If the team kicking off in the OT tries an on-side kick and successfully recovers it, and then scores a FG, is the game over, or does the other team still have to "have a possession"? My friend argued that, by not fielding the kickoff, they should lose their right to at least one offensive possession after the FG, (should be treated as an "offensive fumble"), and I agree ... but I just don't know if there's anything about that scenario in the rules. Anyone? Bueller?

Well, I guess we know now how this worked out ... the Raiders fired Hue Jackson today ... just before their scheduled presser to introduce their new GM, Green Bay's Reggie McKenzie (no, not "our" Reggie)

If they want to keep Peyton, they have to pay him $28M on March 1 to pick up his option - otherwise, he becomes a free agent, with no (or at least minimal) affect on the salary cap. Indy does have other contracts to deal with that will be more problematic - Reggie Wayne, Robert Mathis, and I think Joseph Addai and Dallas Clark all will be free agents this off-season. Yikes! (Also their MLB, Gary Brackett).

I also grew up in Buffalo (from the 1950's until I finished grad school at UB in the 1970's), and have lived in Indianapolis ever since. I actually think both places are about equal, in terms of what the cities have to offer, things to do, environment, climate, etc. Indy seems to have a lot of the advantages of a "big city" without actually being a very big city - due mostly to the fact that it is the state capital, and has several major universities. Anyway, if Doug Whaley is offered the job as Colts GM, I'm pretty sure his decision won't come down to which city is a better place to live - they are too similar for either to have much of an advantage on that score. (btw, even though I've lived in Indy for nearly 35 years, I've always remained a Bills fan, so I'm hoping that whatever is best for the Bills happens!!)

Actually, by all accounts, the CURRENT Irsay who owns the team (Jim) is a great owner to work for (unlike his father Robert, who had .... "issues"). Jim doesn't mind spending money, as long as he is convinced it is being spent "wisely". He's an "involved" owner, but not overly meddlesome. I think the Colts GM position is probably pretty attractive (stable ownership, a potential for 2 star quarterbacks at worst, or 1 star qb plus a boat load of high draft picks), a new state-of-the-art stadium already in place .... what's not to like? btw, the other "rumor" (wish?) floating around is that Irsay will make a run at Jeff Fisher for coach, and then let HIM have a say in who the new GM is. No one really thinks Manning will remain with the Colts. He'll probably get to pick what team he wants to play for next ... and depending on what SF does in the playoffs this year, that might be an appealing destination for him.

Just posted this in a separate thread, but a local sports writer here in Indianapolis (Bob Kravitz) wrote a column this morning saying that the Colts' owner is considering Doug Whaley to replace the recently fired Polians (both Bill and his son Chris) as the new GM for the Colts. If Buffalo wants to keep Whaley, they better lock him up quickly.

A local sports reporter here in Indianapolis (Bob Kravitz) mentions 3 possible candidates that are supposedly on Colts' owner Jim Irsay's "short list" to replace the recently fired Polians: 1. Tom Ciskowski (Dallas) 2. Doug Whaley (Buffalo) 3. Reggie McKenzie (Green Bay)

Thought "the Senator" would be interested in this, since Craig James has a "history" with Mike Leach: Craig James running for U.S. Senate

Interesting article about the Bills-Dolphins local TV blackout ... Bills-Dolphins local blackout an OUTRAGE

I think he's a cab driver in disguise ...

Maybe the Bills will take a run at Jack Del Rio for DC? Wanny doesn't seem to have helped the D much this year ....

No way Fisher goes to Philly as long as Vince Young is there!

I'm not as upset about going for TD at the end of the game as I still am about the series in the first half when Fitz got sacked 2 times in a row, taking them back out of range for a possible FG attempt. I actually wrote "game over" at that point ... though I admit I was looking for an eraser by the 4th qtr! ;-) But Fitz and/or Gailey have to be smarter about that - on the road, rookie LT, after having just given up a sack, you have to be SURE it doesn't happen again and take you out of FG range ... but they let it happen anyway. Who is that on? Play call? Fitz? O-line? Still, it was an exciting game, and win or lose, at least this team is fun to watch, right down to the end of the game.

Time to hit that "refresh" button! ;-) GO BILLS!

What about Aaron Williams ... anyone heard anything about how long he's expected to be out?

Here's a link to an "animated gif" of the play in question that a Chief's fan posted on another discussion board. The play/hit looks legit to me (Berry clearly saw SJ coming, and had ample opportunity to protect himself): Steve Johnson's cut block on Eric Berry He then came out of the game ... but went back in a few plays later ... and then "collapsed" with seemingly no contact, no one around him. It's always sad when an injury like this happens to any player, but I don't think I'm being a "homer" when I say I see nothing wrong with the block SJ used.

So do I ... then the Bills would get to play against him 2x each season! ;-)

I agree. For every Peyton Manning/Troy Aikman/John Elway, there's a Ryan Leaf/Alex Smith/Akili Smith/Tim Couch/JaMarcus Russell/David Carr/Jeff George/Joey Harrington. There's also the (occasional) Tom Brady (6th round)/Joe Montana (3rd round)/Johnny Unitas (9th round)/Bart Starr (17th round)/Daryle Lamonica (24th round!?!?!) So the round a team picks a QB in is not nearly as important as how good an evaluator of talent the folks doing the picking are! I have confidence in Nix. GO BILLS!

Article from Indianapolis Star newspaper about the "kinder, gentler" training camps under the new CBA. Interviews a number of players, including former Ohio State receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who remembers practicing against Donte Whitner: Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez still remembers training camp before his junior year at Ohio State. "We were on a two (a day), then one (practice) schedule, and we were in full pads the whole time," he said. "I remember getting my bell rung by (safety) Donte Whitner over and over again, thinking, 'When is this going to stop?' Same play every time, I'm blocking on a bubble screen, he comes flying down and trying to blow up whoever is blocking. Which was usually me." Full article from Indystar.com GO BILLS!

This is pretty much what Dan LaBatard (sp?)(linked in another thread on this message board)was saying in his (unflattering) article about Parcells and the Dolphins, that "stable" teams who have had a lot of success can get away with making moves like this, because their success has given them a lot of credibility (with fans, owners, the rest of the league, etc), to be able to take chances/risks like this, knowing that even if they don't pan out, their jobs are safe. Teams like Miami, (and also, regrettably, our beloved Bills), can't afford to take these kinds of risks/gambles, because they simply can't afford to lose. For the Dolphins/Bills, signing players like Haynesworth or Plaxico would be seen as "desperation", while the same moves made by the Pats or Jests are seen as "bold" or "genius".

How many of these players (including Easly, Roscoe, Rossevelt, Martin) will the Bills realistically be able to keep on the 53-man roster? If the new CBA doesn't allow for a larger number of players to be active, I don't expect all these names to still be on the roster come September. GO BILLS!

I was busy trying to get the receptionist's phone #, since she's not busy on the 4th ....

I just called them for you ... they are going to be closed on Monday, July 4.

James Hardy finishes degree at IU Good for him ... he's going to need something to fall back on (just in case this whole football thing doesn't work out for him). His final course work included a swimming class (to face his fear of water), and a dancing class (to improve his footwork). Says he has a "future contract" with Baltimore Ravens, whatever that means. Go BILLS!

I seem to remember stories about him not WANTING to coach the Bills ... wasn't interested in interviewing, etc. I'm afraid that says more about Mr. Wilson (or at least about his reputation in the league) that someone like MS would rather coach in the UFL than consider coaching the Bills ... But IMHO, it worked out ok - I think CG was a good choice/good fit, and I'm optimistic that he'll get the team headed back in the right direction. GO BILLS!